A Look Back & A Look Ahead

A Letter from Bronwen Evans, True Patriot Love CEO

I believe that January is the perfect time to reflect on the previous year – to celebrate successes, learn from challenges faced and set a clear path forward. 2016 was an incredible year for TPL and I am so proud of what we accomplished together. With your help, we have now provided more than $18 million to support military and Veteran families. This includes funding more than 100 community-based programs across the country that address the unique challenges resulting from service, including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children. While our 2016 financial statements have yet to be audited, we are anticipating a year-over-year revenue increase of about 50%. Thank you most sincerely for your ongoing support!

Our 2016 highlights include our exhilarating expedition to Vinson Massif – the highest peak in Antarctica, where we paired up business leaders with injured soldiers and raised an incredible $2.45 million. In addition to the mentorship opportunities provided to the soldiers to help them with their transition, the money raised allowed us to fund employment supports for 144 injured Veterans in Alberta who now have full-time jobs.

As in previous years, TPL paid tribute to our military families through a series of signature events including our 8th Annual Toronto Tribute Dinner where we profiled the historical contribution of our Indigenous people to the Canadian military, and the upcoming 2017 Invictus Games. Many attendees said that it was our best Toronto dinner yet. I would like to thank our volunteer dinner committee for making the evening so meaningful and for helping us achieve a 13% year-over-year reduction in our expense ratio.

We were also privileged to worked with an incredible volunteer committee in Manitoba who raised more than $1 million at our first Tribute Dinner in Winnipeg last June – the proceeds from which will be reinvested back into the community to support local military and Veteran families. Through the committee’s efforts in securing in-kind support, the dinner achieved a remarkable expense ratio of only 26%.

As we set our sights even higher for 2017, and look forward to what lies ahead, we thought this month we’d share some of our favorite stories from 2016 - I hope you enjoy them.

Once again, warmest wishes for a happy, healthy 2017 and thank you for your continued support.

CEO, True Patriot Love

TPL Expedition Team Conquers Vinson Massif!

The TPL team is proud to report that the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition: Antarctica– in support of Canadian Military families and veterans– was a great success!

As with the two previous True Patriot Love Expeditions– to the Himalayas in 2012 and the North Pole in 2014– the purpose of this journey was to bring attention to the challenges that face members of the Canadian Armed Forces, their families and Veterans each day. Over the course of the 15-day journey to summit Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, the team had raised an incredible $2 Million to help other Veterans and their families.

Congratulations to the entire team, the guides, the specialists and everyone involved, for this incredible accomplishment! To read more about the Antarctica Expedition or see how you can get involved with the upcoming True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition Series: Best of Canada, visit http://truepatriotlove.com/get-involved/expeditions/

Program Profile: Camp Maple Leaf

On June 25th 2016, True Patriot Love - along with hundreds of Camp Maple Leaf friends, supporters, former directors, counsellors and campers - were honoured to attend the grand re-opening of Camp Maple Leaf on Pigeon Lake, Ennismore.

Camp Maple Leaf, a 104-acre island on Pigeon Lake in the Kawarthas, was founded in 1955 by the Canadian Council of War Veterans (now known as the United Council of Veterans), as a living legacy to their commitment of caring for communities. For years, Camp Maple Leaf has been a place to relax and have fun for children from military families and those who may not otherwise be able to afford a camp experience.

With a transfer of ownership in the past year, Camp Maple Leaf is now proudly operated by the Camp Tanamakoon Foundation. Camp Maple Leaf’s renewed and refreshed objective to continue and broaden its reach to children with unique challenges, including children of military families, remains strong. True Patriot Love has been a proud supporter of Camp Maple Leaf over the past few years, providing over $366,000 in funding since 2011 to send over 500 children from military families to camp, and is happy to have been a part of the special Grand Re-opening – congratulations Camp Maple Leaf on a wonderful re-launch.

It's Official! Canada to Host 2017 Invictus Games

More than 600 wounded warriors from 16 countries will
​​​​​​ compete in Toronto in September 2017

In March of 2016, Prince Harry announced that the 2017 ​​Invictus Games would be awarded to Toronto, Canada! The third Invictus Games, to be held in September 2017, will be the largest Games yet, with more than 600 military competitors from 16 nations competing in 12 sports.

"I always hoped the Invictus story would continue after the London Games," said Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014. "And having seen so many new people benefit from their journey to Orlando this year, I definitely did not want it to end here. So today, I am absolutely delighted to announce that the Invictus legacy will continue when Toronto hosts the third Invictus Games."

The Invictus Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate broader awareness of the physical and psychological injuries sustained by our ill and injured service members and Veterans.

Prince Harry's full announcement and more information about the 2017 Invictus Games can be found on the official IG17 website: www.invictusgames2017.com

8th Annual Toronto Tribute Dinner raises $1.6 Million for Veterans and Military Families

November 9, 2016 marked the 8th Annual True Patriot Love Tribute Dinner. With approximately 1,100 guests in attendance, TPL raised $1.6 million for Veterans and military families.

Additionally, Bell and TPL announced a 4-year extension of the Bell True Patriot Love, a renewed $1 million partnership to support community mental health programs serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.

“Bell True Patriot Love Fund recipients are all making a real difference in the lives of Canadian military members and their families and we congratulate them on their commitment and passion,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “We look forward to supporting many more such community groups as they provide mental health programs for military families in every region of Canada.”

Following the dinner, Scotiabank and TPL announced a $750,000 commitment to support the important work of the Foundation, in advance of Remembrance Day. Scotiabank’s commitment will provide True Patriot Love with: $250,000 for military children with special needs and camps and $500,000 to sponsor the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition series: Best of Canada in 2017. Scotiabank’s commitment will help cover costs supporting the soldier participants, as well as the expedition mentorship program.

“Scotiabank has seen firsthand how True Patriot Love makes an important and needed difference in the lives of Veterans and military families,” said Phil Smith, SVP & COO, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank. “We are proud to be directing our support to military children with special needs and as sponsor of the 2017 Expedition Series in Canada.”

Scotiabank was also honoured for their outstanding contributions, with Former Group Head and CEO, Global Banking and Markets, Mike Durland recognized with the Patriot Award.

“True Patriot Love is grateful for the leading role Scotiabank has played in supporting the Expedition Series for 2017,” said Bronwen Evans, CEO of TPL. “The expeditions provide an opportunity for participating soldier team members to face personal roadblocks on their journey of transition into civilian life. We are thrilled that Scotiabank has stepped up in such a big way.”